HARTLEY CORNER SURGERY
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
NEWSLETTER No.3 NOVEMBER 2011
Committee Members:
Chairperson: Anne Strong (email: amstrong@sky.com)
Secretary:
Karen Toms (Assistant Practice Manager - contact through Hartley Corner Surgery)
Hugh Lambert & Gill Lambert (Treasurer) (email: mimi.lambert@ntlworld.com), Brian Henley
(brian.henley@ntlworld.com) Louise Parratt, William Gascoigne, Emma Dent, Mary Thomas.
Introduction by Anne Strong:
To enable us to gain the views of a wider group of patients on the services provided by the practice, we asked in the last
newsletter for permission to collect the email addresses of those of you who would be willing to complete 1 or 2 surveys
a year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who not only gave us this information, but also completed
the first survey so promptly (which is now closed). Those of you who have “signed up” make up the Patient
Representative Group, which now covers a really good cross section of the patient population, and will be of great
benefit in planning for the future.
Thanks also to those of you who have completed any Patient Feedback Forms (available on our notice board). There is a
box to return them to on the reception desk. The comments that have been received and any actions arising from them,
can be seen further on in this newsletter. Please continue to use these forms (or the “Contact Us” forms in the PPG
section of the surgery website) – to let us know what works well, or constructive ideas as to what could be done
differently. As we all know there are changes planned for the NHS in the years ahead and we want to be sure that our
surgery continues to provide the best service possible for patients. Anne
FLU VACCINATION REMINDER
The Seasonal Flu Vaccination clinics have been running since early October. If you are over 65, or any age and in a risk
group: Diabetes, Heart Disease, COPD, Asthma, Renal Disease, Liver Disease, weakened immune system, neurological
disease, Pregnant or a Carer or frontline Healthcare worker – please book an appointment with the practice nurse.
AUTUMN “HOT TOPIC”
We felt that this Newsletters “Hot Topic” should again be seasonal – and as we are currently in
the middle of the flu vaccination programme, we asked the practice to provide some advice on the
simple management of coughs and colds.
Management of Coughs and Colds – article by Mrs Chris Macklin (Triage Nurse)
John Keats’s poem “Ode to Autumn” talks of the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”.
For many though, the autumn and winter are seasons of cough and cold viruses and as yet no “quick fix” cure is
available. Antibiotics do not kill viruses and can cause unwelcome side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea and rashes.
So, what can be done to alleviate the symptoms of cough, fever, headache, runny or blocked nose and general aches and
pains?

Regular Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin (but no aspirin for children under 16) – will help with the
headache, fever and aches and pains. Please check if taking “over the counter” cough/cold remedies as these
often contain Paracetamol and there is potential risk of overdose.

Plenty of fluids will help prevent mild dehydration – Honey and lemon in hot water can be very soothing for sore
throats. The traditional remedy of a “Hot toddy” at bedtime may aid sleep.
PTO

Adults: Steam inhalation – a bowl of hot water (possibly with a few drops of Olbas oil in) – then put your head
over the bowl with a towel over you head and breath in the steam slowly. This can help with blocked noses and
troublesome coughs. (Please also be aware that olbas oil is toxic to young children)
Ogden Nash in his poem “Common Cold” speaks for the majority when he disagrees with
the Doctor’s diagnosis that his “malady is a common cold” – but, the majority of coughs
and colds are self-limiting. However, if the symptoms persist for 3 weeks, or you are
wheezing, becoming short of breath, coughing up blood or any symptoms develop that you
are not happy about, then please call the surgery.
PATIENT FEEDBACK FORMS
The PPG has received the following comments regarding services provided in the Practice. The comments have been
made anonymously and have been fed back to the appropriate people. We would like to thank those patients who have
taken the time to comment and would encourage others to lets us know about the service you receive and any
constructive ideas you may have for improvements.
“I have always had excellent service, from the Receptionist to the Doctor. They have always met my needs
in an emergency, or day to day. I can’t thank them enough.”
Re Cryotherapy Clinic: “More appointments are needed – the waiting list seems too long for this
treatment, - train up practice nurses to handle wart removal.”
We are sorry if access to this service is slower than desired but patients should bear in mind the following: The
Cryotherapy Clinic is often referred to as the “Wart Clinic” but in fact, very few of the treatments are for warts.
None of the conditions being treated are in any way serious and hospital response times would be much slower.
Some surgeries do not have any cryotherapy service at all and there is no extra funding for what we do.
“Overall we are very pleased with the way the surgery operates. We feel you have responded to the needs
of those who work, it is in general very easy to see a Doctor. Doctors seem very willing to refer to the
expertise of their colleagues, there seems to be a very close relationship with the local hospitals and
consultants, particularly important in light of the present plans for the NHS.”
This patient provided their contact details and received a personal response to another question about liaison with
Social Services.
“I think it is an amazing practice. I work in the NHS and deal with practices in other localities. Some can
never get appointments, nor book ahead, they cannot access practice nurses. I think this surgery is very
well run, courteous reception staff.”
PATIENT FUND PURCHASES
Patients sometimes kindly donate money to the surgery Patient Fund, which is then used to purchase items or enhance
services for the benefit of all patients. The PPG has agreed the purchase of the following items:


A new digital weighing scale – for the Registrars Room to replace old equipment with scales that give more
accurate readings. This is helpful re weight management/calculation of BMI.
A Salt Bin & wheeled Salt Spreader – to help staff to more easily make the patient car park
safe after a snowfall. The last two winters have been very harsh and this has been a
difficult task.
PTO
OCTOBER AUDIT OF WASTED APPOINTMENTS
In February & June 2011 we looked at wasted appointments. We learnt from the practice that many appointments just go
to waste due to patients not turning up or telephoning to cancel in advance. The practice completed another audit in
October which revealed:

72 wasted Nurse Appointments ( eg: blood tests, smears, Quit Smoking, Diabetic, Travel, Dressings) (Not

including 31 missed Flu appointments)
54 wasted Doctor Appointments (equivalent to 1.5 extra days of GP appointments)
Since drawing this to your attention in our last newsletter, wasted Doctor appointments have decreased - but are
still high at an average of 13.5 per week.
The number of wasted Nursing Appointments has not decreased.
It is quite understandable that things happen at the last minute and missing an appointment is unavoidable, but if at all
possible, please telephone to cancel if you know you will not be able to attend so that the appointment time can be given
to someone else. Always make a note of your future appointments on your calendar or diary. Thank you
HEALTHY EATING RECIPE
RICH BEEF STEW WITH MUSTARD MASH
Serves 4
Freezer friendly
Ready in 3 hours
794g/1lb 12oz lean stewing beef, cut into bite sized pieces
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped
4 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
596ml/21fl oz beef stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 tsp dried mixed herbs
Chopped parsley, to garnish
Cabbage, to serve
For the mustard mash
908g/2lb potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
142ml/5fl oz hot water or beef stock
1 level tsp mustard
1. Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 3
2. Heat a large, heatproof casserole dish over a medium heat, add the beef and stir fry until brown on all
sides.
3. Add the garlic, onions, carrot and stock.
4. Season well, add the bay leaf and dried mixed herbs
5. Cover tightly and cook in the oven for 2-2 and a half hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is meltingly
tender.
6. Meanwhile, make the mash by boiling the potatoes in a large saucepan of lightly salted water for 15-20
minutes or until tender. Drain well, and add the hot water or stock and mustard. Mash until smooth,
season to taste.
7. Serve the mash with the stew, garnished with chopped parsley, and accompanied by cooked cabbage.
Recipe courtesy of Slimming World